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Non-Traditional Route to Special Education Teacher Certification

OSDE Boot Camp Dates

January 24 - March 21, 2015

In addition to the OSDE Boot Camp, universities are also providing Boot Camps. If you are interested in attending a Boot Camp at a university, please see the list of Participating Universities. Contact the university you are interested in attending for specific details.

Have you thought about teaching students with special needs? HB1233 is designed to address this concern by providing a method for individuals to obtain a special education teacher certification.

The State Board of Education will issue a one-year provisional certificate to teach in the area of mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities grades PK-12. The teacher may renew the certificate two more times if the individual has completed at least six credit hours in a non-traditional route to certification program or toward a master’s degree in special education.

OSDE Boot Camp Candidates

This process is designed for candidates who meet the following criteria:

Have earned any four-year degree from an Institution of Higher Education holding Regional Accreditation

Have a Grade Point Average of 2.75 or higher from a previous degree program

Have a recommendation from a representative at a school district or Institution of Higher Education

Pass a National Background Check

Commit to complete a Master’s Degree or Certification in Special Education

Candidates who meet the above criteria and are interested in obtaining a non-traditional special education certification may submit an application to the State Department of Education. Candidates must then complete a 150-hour program that includes 120 hours of special education training known as “Boot Camp” and 30 hours of field experience.

Research Analysis

The conference committee substitute requires the State board of Education to issue a one-year provisional certificate to teach in the area of mild-moderate or severe-profound disabilities. Candidates must have been recommended by a board of education or an accredited institution of higher education, completed a 150-hour special education program and have a national criminal history record check. The teacher may renew the certificate two more times if the teacher has completed at least six credit hours in a certification program or toward a master's degree in special education. The State Board of Education must issue a standard certificate to any individual who has been issued one or more provisional certificates, completes coursework and required examinations for alternative certification or a master's degree within three years of issuance of the original provisional certificate and completes the subject area competency exam.